Koenig



(No Model.)

F. STEIN-KOENIG. DEVICE FOR PREVENTING WATER PIPES FROM FREEZING.

Patented Feb. 8, 188.7.

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UNITED STATES PATENT" Grains.

FREDERICK STEINKOENIG, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF I TO VALENTINE MARZ, OF SAME PLACE.

DEVICE FOR PREVENTING WATER-PIPES FROM FREEZING.

V SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 357,241, dated February 8, 1887.

Application filed November 29, 1886. SerialNo. 220,122. No model.)

To all whom it may concenn:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK STEIN- KOENIG, a citizen of theUnited States, and a resident of Cincinnati, in the county of Harnilton and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improved Devices for Preventing Water-"Pipes from Freezing, of which the following is a specification.

My invention is an improved means to empty the water-pipes in buildings, and also the branch pipes leading from the street-main, so as to prevent freezing and bursting the pipes.

The invention will be first fully described in connection with the-accompanying drawings, and then particularly referred to and pointed out in the claims.

Figure 1 is a central longitudinal section of the device secured in the water-n1ain,the valve being open for the admission of water through thehouse-pipes. Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail view of the valve in the closed position. Fig. 3 is a similar view of the open valve, but taken at a right angle to the position shown in Fig. 1.

A represents the street-main, B the valvecase screwed into it, and O the branch pipe screwed into the end of the valve-case and leading from the street into the cellar or basement of the building.

D is a union connected to the inner or house end of the pipeO, upon the upper branch of which is a short pipe, E, to which the housesupply pipe is to be connected. On the lower branch of the unionisawaste-cock, F, through which the water from the house-pipes and branch pipe 0 is drawn off when desired.

The valve or cook G has openings which register with similar openings in the case and permit a flow of water to the house-pipes through pipe 0 and branch E when the valve is open, as seen in Fig. 1. The valve-stemH is a tube having branches 71 connecting with the large end of the valve or cook. The airpassages in these branches h connect through chambers g in the cock G and holes or airpassages y, when the valve is closed, with grooves b in the case, so that air passing through the tubular stem will pass into the pipe 0 through cock G, thus furnishinga vent to allow the pipe-to be emptied. A portion of the end of the case B is cut away at b, and the plug G is fitted with a pin, 9 whichlimits the movement of the plug in either direction, so as to insure the proper registering of the openings 9 when the cock is open and the registering of the grooves b and air-passages 9 when the water in the main is shut off. The short section of pipe h, which passes through the stuffing-box in the union D, is turned off I upon the outside and provided with a handwheel, I, by which the cock is turned to let on or shut off the water. The pipe 0 should of course incline downward from the main to the building to insure perfect drainage. It will be seen from the foregoing that the entire system of pipes in abuilding,as well as the branch from the street-main, may be completely emptied by turning the cock to stop off the water atthe main and opening the waste-cock. Thus all danger from freezing is avoided.

The operation of the device is as follows: It being assumed that the supply end of the system of pipesthroughout the buildingis secured upon the branch E and a hose or other pipe connected to the lower branch of the wastecock F and leading from it to the sewer or other outlet from the cellar of the building,,and the cock G turned in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the water passes from the main A through pipe 0, branch E, and thence through the system of house-pipes. In extreme cold weather, when there is danger of the water in the house-pipes freezing, the hand-wheel I is turned one-fourth revolution,which is determined by the pin 9'. The water is now stopped from the main pipe A to G,and the air admitted through tubular stem H,its branches h,and the slot d back of the water in pipe 0. Waste-cock F being opened,the water from pipes G and the system of house-pipes is therefore carried off through the waste-cock and the pipes emptied. To insure the complete emptying of the housepipes, it is better to open one of the upper faucets in the house, as is now usually done in emptying the house system.

My invention is especially intended to empty thepipe leading from the street-main to the cellar of the house, the freezing of which necessitates the tearing up of the'street and pavement.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure fied, of the cock having air and water'passagcs, by Letters Patent, isthe hollow stein having branches communicat- V 1. The branch pipe having stop-cock atone ing with the cock when closed, the branch pipe end and a union, as D, atthe opposite end, with G, having the union D, provided with branch 1 5 5 the hollow stem for actuating said cock and E,and waste-cock F, theseveral parts combined passing through said union and branch pipe, 5 to operate as and for the purpose set forth. whereby the Water is turned on or ofi at the r T main and air admitted to the cock when closed FREDERICK STEM KOENIG' for the purpose of exhausting the branch pipe, \Vitnesses:

10 substantially as specified. HORACE H. MALEs,

2. The combination, substantially as spcci- W. H. ANDERSON. 

